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Camp confidential: 'Relentless' Red Sox count on kids

Note: USA TODAY Sports' Paul White, via car, causeway, plane and rail, will eventually reach every major league camp this spring. Follow his exploits on Twitter -@PBJWhite - as he makes his way through the

Note: USA TODAY Sports' Paul White, via car, causeway, plane and rail, will eventually reach every major league camp this spring. Follow his exploits on Twitter -@PBJWhite - as he makes his way through the Cactus and Grapefruit leagues before imparting all you didn't know about every team right here.

Today: The Boston Red Sox

David Ross was in and out of his crouch, shouting encouragement, firing balls back to his pitcher.

This day, it was Drake Britton. The day before, it was Anthony Ranaudo.

And if that doesn't seem terribly crucial to the Boston Red Sox's attempt to repeat as World Series champions, look again. Because that's how the Red Sox figure they could win what would be a fourth championship already this century.

"That young group is going to be relied upon in some way during the year," says general manager Ben Cherington.

The group, which Cherington calls the deepest and most talented collection of pitching prospects the franchise has had in recent memory, includes Britton and Ranaudo. And Henry Owens, who was three mounds away in the bullpen throwing to new Boston catcher A.J. Pierzynski. And there's Matt Barnes and Allen Webster, Brandon Workman and Rubby de la Rosa.

Some got a taste of the majors last season and, as Cherington says, "Some of them had success doing it."

But Ross, back as the back-up catcher, explains his almost non-stop encouragement.

"They're prospects," he says. "A prospect is still a prospect. There's going to be a learning process. Those guys are really good players, they're going to be really good players but you don't know exactly what you're going to be until you get some years under your belt in the major leagues."

Cherington preaches a franchise philosophy that's summed up in, "We can get a team ready to play in spring training. But we can also do a lot of teaching."

Boston had a solid rotation, even with Ryan Dempster sitting out the season. Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey and Jake Peavy, and now late addition Chris Capuano pushing Felix Doubront for the fifth spot.

And then the kids.

"We've had individuals, but I don't know that we've had the volume at one time like we do now," Cherington says. "One of the great challenges and really a fun part of the job is to figure out, OK, how do we best develop that group. We're fortunate that our major league (coaching) staff if such a development-focused staff. They all come from a development background."

The signing of Capuano after camp opened was out of a legitimate concern over an experience gap. How many of the young arms really could step into a playoff race right now? And would it even be fair to ask them?

"It's rare that somebody bounces on the scene and is just dominant," Ross says. "There have been a couple of guys -- Stephen Strasburg, guys like that."

In the meantime, that development process continues in earnest. Because the Red Sox know they can't count on showing up and replicating last year's magic.

"It's the ones who are on the cusp, that I've already caught," Ross says of his focus. "I try to tell them what works in the major leagues. How they're going to use the stuff they've been working on. I'm not sure they actually know. I kind of reaffirm it, like this is how it's going to play out. I'm trying to be positive when I say things. I know that can go a long way."

Relentless = Repeat

Will Middlebrooks will be counted on to bounce back after an uneven 2013.(Photo: Steven Senne AP)

Two themes pervade Red Sox camp: Manager John Farrell's continued and continual use of the word, "relentless," a theme he credits as a contributor to last year's success; and few if any references to 2013.

Boston wasn't able to repeat after its 2004 and '07 championships. This time, everyone from owner John Henry on down is working the delicate balance between ignoring what happened last year but not forgetting what worked.

"It's difficult to predict why you win or lose," Henry says. "It's not all data and metrics."

For a team coming off a championship with most of the significant pieces in place, the Red Sox have plenty of questions – or, at least, potential worrying points.

They'll start two rookies, shortstop Xander Bogaerts and center fielder Jackie Bradley. Ross adds both their names when he talks about the young pitchers. And he even adds Will Middlebrooks, who started much of last season at third base.

"We all learn best from our failures," Ross says. "So you need to get to the highest level and fail a little bit to learn, or even succeed some and then have some setbacks."

The veteran Ross might be positive with his young pitchers, but there's no sugar-coating the organization's demand for excellence.

Cherington talks about what's necessary from the pitchers.

"It's different with each guy," he says. "But if you're going to narrow it down to one thing, it's the ability to pitch with a fastball at the major league level, which means throwing it for strikes, which means throwing it generally where you want to throw it. Without that, it's hard to get deep into a game. And that's a requirement."

Middlebrooks is being challenged. He says he knows and accepts it.

"Will comes in with some added determination, some added motivation," manager Farrell says. "Injuries contributed to the challenges of a year ago. Inconsistent performance was part of it. His concentration and determination are not only what we had anticipated but what we had hoped for.

I just think there's a little bit different mindset based on the challenges he faced last year."

And it's not just young players.

Designated hitter David Ortiz has been a lightning rod this spring because he wants a contract extension. He says he's confident it will happen. Cherington says, "We'll talk." Henry says, "I don't know that it will get done."

There's a search for a leadoff hitter to replace Jacoby Ellsbury, who defected to the Yankees. Shane Victorino is a leading candidate though hardly with impeccable credentials for the role. Even Jonny Gomes' name has come up, Farrell acknowledges.

Pierzynski is new at an important position – and old at 37.

Koji Uehara finds himself in the conversation for best closer in baseball, but that's based on 35 career saves – and he's 38. The rest of last October's light-out bullpen is similarly without a long history of success. Hence, the acquisition of erstwhile Cardinals closer Edward Mujica.

Last season was a perfect storm of talent, chemistry and emotions. It easily could happen again – or get just plain stormy.

Remember this guy?

Grady Sizemore hasn't played in a major league game since 2011. He may split time in center field for the Red Sox this season.(Photo: Steve Mitchell, USA TODAY Sports)

Grady Sizemore is scheduled to play Thursday during Boston's exhibition doubleheader against two college teams. He hasn't played in a game anywhere since September 2011.

But his return from knee and back injuries is starting inching away from feel-good story to help-the-team legitimacy.

He's 31 now and maybe there's not a lot of hope he'll be the guy who led the AL in runs and doubles in 2006. He's certainly not going to be the guy who played 162 games that season and the next one, averaged 160 games from 2005-08.

"We're taking all of spring training to get a more accurate read on him," Farrell says. "Based on what he's been able to do so far, maybe those pressing questions are a little less than anticipated."

A competent, center field-capable Sizemore would go a long way toward easing the pressure on Bradley to produce immediately.